The Town of Guttenberg will hold its annual “Safe Kids Day” on Sunday, Sept. 15, from noon to 5 p.m. on Boulevard East between 68th and 71st Streets.

All Guttenberg residents are invited by Mayor Gerald Drasheff and the Town Council to attend the annual event.

Music, food, demonstrations, and more will be the attractions at the event.

“Please join us for a day of fun,” said Capt. Joel Magenheimer of the Guttenberg Police Department.

For more information about the event, call town hall at (201) 868-2315, ext. 128.

Library offering lecture and class

The North Bergen Free Public Library has announced two community programs that will be held this week.

A free thyroid disease presentation will be held 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the library, 8411 Bergenline Ave. Internal medicine specialist Giberto Gastell, M.D., will be discussing the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of the disease. The event is sponsored by the Hispanic Outreach Program and Holy Name Medical Center’s Wellness Wednesdays.

The library is also offering a 10-week English for Beginners course starting on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. The course will be taught by Elke Bachik, and will consist of studying vocabulary and completing homework assignments.

There is a $20 registration fee, which includes a dictionary, workbook, and flash cards. Visit the Reference Desk to sign up.

Give clothing to help others in need

Federacion Mercantil Hispana is hosting an old jacket and coat drive to benefit the needy of the area until Friday, Sept. 13.

“Remember, there are many people who could probably use a helping hand, and you can make a difference,” said a group spokesman.

Donations can be brought or sent to Orlando Bru, 2112 Bergenline Ave., Basement, Union City, NJ 07087. All clothing will be distributed on Sept. 21 at 10:30 a.m. at 4113 Palisade Ave., Union City.

For more information, call (201) 865-0383.

Community Blood Services hosting Union City and North Bergen drives

Community Blood Services is hosting drives at the Jose Marti Academy, 1800 Summit Ave., Union City, on Sunday, Sept. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and at the Palisades Medical Center, 7600 River Rd., North Bergen, on Friday, Sept. 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. All blood types are needed.

Donors will receive a $5 Subway Gift Card for their participation. Donors will also be eligible to win two tickets to the Super Bowl at MetLife Stadium in February, as well as receive complimentary non-fasting cholesterol and glucose screenings.

The Union City drive also includes a free health fair.

Any healthy individual, ages 17 through 75 (16 with parental permission), and weighing at least 110 pounds, can donate blood. Donors should eat a moderate meal before donating and must bring identification showing signature. No Social Security number is needed.

Blood donors participating will help ensure that the transfusion needs of area patients are met.

To schedule an appointment, call Community Blood Services at (201) 251-3703.

Volunteers wanted for Hudson Medical Reserve Corps

If you would like to volunteer during public health emergencies and natural disasters in Hudson County or elsewhere, the Hudson Regional Health Commission (HRHC) Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) is looking for you.

MRC units are made up of locally based volunteers (with or without a medical background). They include medical and public health professionals such as physicians, nurses, pharmacists, mental health professionals, dentists, veterinarians, and epidemiologists. Other community members, such as interpreters, chaplains, office workers, and legal advisers, fill vital support positions.

Volunteers give a minimal amount of time and have the choice to respond locally only or to be deployed outside the county. MRC volunteers were an important part of the Superstorm Sandy response. They gave more than 450 hours, helping at shelters and acting as translators.

Volunteers participate in various trainings and drills throughout the year, enhancing their preparedness skills, and heightening their ability to respond to many different types of events.

Hudson County’s Emergency Management, police, fire, EMS, and public health professionals are working hard to identify, train for, and respond to emergencies that could impact those who live and work here, but more help is needed.

For more information, visit the HRHC website at www.hudsonregional.org and click on “Medical Reserve Corps” on the menu bar on the left. Interested individuals can also call Monique Davis, Hudson County MRC coordinator, or Christina Butieb-Bianco, assistant MRC coordinator, at (201) 223-1133 or email mrc@hudsonregionalhealth.org.

Society sponsoring trip to Amish Country

The German-American World Historical Society is sponsoring its annual bus trip to Amish and Mennonite country, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 19.

“We hope that this trip will be an enjoyable one, and that you will be satisfied with the hospitality that we provide to our extended family, regardless of their ethnic backgrounds,” said spokesman John Lawrora.

The tour costs $60 for adults, and $45 for children ages 4 to 12. Refreshments will be provided on the bus.

NAMI Hudson, a nonprofit group for loved ones of people with mental illness, will hold a presentation, “Plan NJ,” on Oct. 8 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Hoboken Community Mental Health Center, 506 Third St. Parking is available behind the center.

Plan NJ (Planned Lifetime Network of NJ) is a non-profit organization that helps consumers and their families answer the question, “Who will care for my loved one when I am gone?” Plan NJ can help families with monitoring, advocacy, guardianship, coaching, guidance, permanent repository, community and private trust administration, and benefits administration.

“Plan NJ can help with a one-time effort that will assist in helping with the financial, legal, and social resources needed for the consumer's future,” said Agnes Byrne of NAMI. “After the plan is created, there is an opportunity to update as needed.”

There is a cost involved, but it is within the reach of most families, according to Byrne. Financial assistance and scholarship may be available.

For more information, call Kristiana Kalab at (862) 754-6654 or NamiHudson@msn.com for more information.